So Many Garden Plants, Such A Short List
Being thankful really is not confined to one week. But, given that we are fast approaching Thanksgiving, we thought we would explore some of the garden plants we are thankful for and why. Truthfully, limiting this list to just 15 plants was difficult and unrealistic. As we have toured gardens, garden centers and arboretums, we have come to realize there are thousands upon thousands of plants that we are grateful for having seen. None the less, the following are 15 that stand out to us. What are yours?
Trees
Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry – Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’
This tree offers so much and asks so litter in return. It is easy to grow, architecturally interesting, has beautiful white flowers and spring and brilliant fall color (if you couldn’t tell by its name). Its little blue berries are edible and taste a lot like blueberries.
American Beech – Fagus grandiflora
American Beech is on our list simply because of its fall color. After most of the other trees have shed their leaves, the golden color from this tree shines in the landscape or woodlands. If you happen to come across it in the early morning with sunlight shining through the canopy, you cannot help but have a wonderful day.
Shrubs
Japanese Plum Yew – Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Prostrata’
A conifer that grows in the shade that the deer do not eat. That would be enough but this plant also has beautiful, dense green foliage and a wonderful texture.
Bluebeard – Caryopteris x clandonensis ‘Blue Mist’
Truly a spectacular plant. Imagine a shrub so covered with light blue flowers that it literally stops traffic. Now cover it with butterflies and other pollinators and you have a true winner on your garden. Bluebeard deserves to be on every favorite list.
Beautyberry – Callicarpa Americana
Looking for something unique to add a little fall color to your garden. Beautyberry may be the plant. Purple berries circle the stems and last almost the entire fall. This is a very tough plant too.
Korean Spice Viburnum – Viburnum carlesii
It has been said that a garden without a Viburnum is like a meal without wine. We wouldn’t want that now would we? The flowers of this Viburnum offer a sweet fragrance to anyone waling by. Red berries in the fall are a favorite of birds.
Pinky Winky Viburnum – Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky-Winky’
One of our favorite garden plants. We could like this plant solely for the fun of saying its name. Sort of like the Teletubby of the garden world. But we also love if because of its insanely beautiful pink blossoms each summer. You will love it too!
Perennials
Lenten Rose – Helleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose is the workhorse in shade gardens with deer populations. One of the first perennials to bloom, it holds on to its flowers for a very long time. The foliage offers a tropical feel. Wonderful to use in masses under tree canopies.
All Gold Japanese Forest Grass – Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ Wow!
All Gold is a dynamo. Brilliant yellow color that simply brightens any garden. It is one of the few ornamental grasses that can grow in semi-shade and being an ornamental grass, deer leave it alone. Very dependable.
Jack Frost Bugloss – Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
The leaf color on this perennial is fantastic. The leaves are highly frosted and heart shaped offering really great color and texture to the garden. Partner that with its light blue spring flowers and this is a plant you need to try.
Yarrow – Achillea ‘Appleblossom’
Yarrows in general are very easy to grow. The all offer nice fern-like foliage and stunning colors but Appleblossom, with its light pink flowers caught our eyes. Super nice flower to bring inside for a vase.
Groundcovers
Plumbago – Ceratostigma plumbaginoides
This is a very versatile and tough groundcover able to grow in both sun and shade. It offers brilliant blue flowers with striking red calyces that cover bright green foliage from mid-summer to fall. Very under used.
Sweetbox – Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis
Sweetbox is a groundcover that offers several outstanding qualities. It is a small, evergreen, shade loving shrub that only grows a foot or so off the ground. Its white flowers are very fragrant. Just a nice plant to have in a shady garden.
Annuals
Cosmos – Cosmos bipinnatus
Like most annuals, Cosmos comes in a variety of colors. Pink, crimson and white flowers light up the garden until frost on this tall plant. You will attract tons of butterflies to your garden if you plant this.
Persian Shield – Strobilanthes dyerianus
Lastly, Persian Shield is on our list because it has one of a kind foliage. It kind of reminds us of a velvet painting (without the Elvis). Spectacular if used as a backdrop to other plants or in container gardens. Try it and you will love it.
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